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Smiths Creek Landfill

Aerial view of Smiths Creek Landfill
Environment, Great Lakes, and Energy

Smiths Creek Landfill

Contact

Health-Based Questions

Michigan Dept. of Health and Human Services (MDHHS)
800-MI-TOXIC (or 800-648-6942)

Environmental Concerns

Submit an Air Quality Complaint

Clean Air Assistance Program
EGLE-Assist@Michigan.gov
800-662-9278

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Smiths Creek Landfill (landfill) is located in Kimball Township, St. Clair County. The landfill is currently owned and operated by St. Clair County. Blue Water Renewables owns an electric generating facility located at the landfill that utilizes landfill gas as fuel. Although municipal solid waste landfills like this one provide a necessary service in Michigan, facilities must operate safely, in accordance with regulations, and as a good neighbor to our citizens.

EGLE has conducted several investigations of the landfill. Several violations have been issued to the landfill due to non-compliance with environmental rules and regulations. EGLE staff continues to respond to complaints and concerns filed by residents near the landfill and conduct on-site investigations as well as regular inspections and compliance activities.

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Air Sampling

  • November 30, 2023, to February 23, 2024

    Preliminary sampling information – NOTE: This work is still in progress and any conclusions are preliminary as the data collected to date is limited.

    • EGLE has received numerous odor complaints from citizens near the Smiths Creek Landfill. Odor complaints point to odors typical of a landfill, including those related to landfill gas. Landfill gas typically contains hydrogen sulfide. Hydrogen sulfide, created as waste breaks down, can cause odors even at very low levels. Odors may cause health effects and impact a person's quality of life. Persistent odors may contribute to stress, which can cause additional health effects, even when measured levels of H2S in the air are not expected to.
    • In addition to issuing violation notices, we are being responsive to community concerns by conducting a 60-day air sampling campaign to measure for reduced sulfur compounds, including hydrogen sulfide. This sampling aims to provide information that will help determine if air pollutants are at levels of health concern in the community.
    Smiths Creek Landfill Cairpol Location Map (Phase 1)
    • Air samples are taken using two Cairpol Cairsens air sensors to measure hydrogen sulfide. These sensors read hydrogen sulfide concentrations in the air once per minute. One sampler began on November 30, 2023 (Location 2). The other sensor underwent repairs before it was added on December 20th (Location 1). These were placed in areas off-site near the landfill expected to be the most impacted by the source of the problem. All data is shared with the Michigan Department of Health and Human Services (MDHHS) for their evaluation.
    • The one-minute readings from the sensors were used to calculate 1-hour and 24-hour average concentrations. These time frames are used so we can evaluate the readings against weather data, like wind speed and direction, and health-related levels called minimal risk levels or MRLs.  Weather data is one tool to identify emission sources. Health-related levels are one tool to ensure public health and the environment are protected. Longer timeframes allow us to look at additional health levels.
    Smiths Creek Landfill Cairpol Hydrogen Sulfide (H2S) 24-Hour Concentrations (February 1, 2024)
    • Based on the air sampling conducted to date, the hydrogen sulfide results do not generally raise concerns of increased risk of negative health effects from short-term exposures. However, on January 24th, weather events including heavy air and snowpack are likely to have created conditions leading to the spike in concentrations at Location 1. Persons in the area may have had experienced short-term impacts.
    Smiths Creek Landfill Cairpol Hydrogen Sulfide (H2S) Two-Week Concentrations (February 22, 2024)
    • Based on the air sampling conducted to date, the hydrogen sulfide results do not raise concerns of increased risk of negative health effects from intermediate exposures.
    • We will continue to evaluate the data as it is collected and share information with the county and state health departments.
    • Readings on some days showed concentrations where odors were likely to be present.  People have differing sensitivity to odors, so some residents may have been impacted by odors related to hydrogen sulfide.

  • Updated April 2024

    • Preliminary sampling information – NOTE: This work is still in progress and any conclusions are preliminary as the data collected to date is limited.
    • On February 23, 2024, the Phase 2 sampling began. This involved replacing the Cairpol sensor at Location 1 with a new sensor, removing the sensor from Location 2, and placing a new sensor at Location 3. These were placed in areas off-site near the landfill expected to be the most impacted by the source of the problem. All data is shared with the Michigan Department of Health and Human Services (MDHHS) for their evaluation.
    Smiths Creek Landfill Cairpol Location Map (Phase 2)
    • Phase 2 Sampling Location Map
    Smiths Creek Landfill Cairpol Hydrogen Sulfide (H2S) 24-Hour Concentrations (April 29, 2024)
    • Based on the air sampling conducted to date, the hydrogen sulfide results do not generally raise concerns of increased risk of negative health effects from short-term exposures.
    Smiths Creek Landfill Cairpol Hydrogen Sulfide (H2S) Two-Week Concentrations (April 29, 2024)
    • Based on the air sampling conducted to date, the hydrogen sulfide results do not raise concerns of increased risk of negative health effects from intermediate exposures.
    • We will continue to evaluate the data as it is collected and share information with the county and state health departments.

Updates

  • October 2024: A public comment period for an air permit requested by Smiths Creek Landfill (Smiths Creek). The comment period will remain open until November 26, 2024. Smiths Creek is requesting to operate an open flare to burn landfill gas. The purpose of the flare is to provide additional gas and odor control to the south side of the landfill, which has recently experienced increased odor concerns. Comments may be given at any time before the end of the comment period on November 26th. You may provide comments on the proposed permit in any of these ways.
    • By email: EGLE-AQD-PTIPublicComments@Michigan.gov
    • By U.S. mail: EGLE, Air Quality Division, Permit Section, P.O. Box 30260, Lansing, Michigan 48909- 7760. 
    • By voicemail: 517-284-0900. 
    • At the Virtual Public Hearing on November 19: starting at the close of the informational session. Join online via computer: pre-register any time or join at 6:00 p.m.  Call into the meeting: 636-651-3142 and use conference code 374288
  • July 2024: A violation notice was issued on July 19, 2024, for not operating the FerroSorp® Hydrogen Sulfide (Fe(OH)3) Removal Dry Scrubber properly, especially in the initial period. A response with a plan to return to maintain compliance is due August 9, 2024.
  • May 2024: The Phase 2 Sampling was completed on Monday, April 29, 2024. The data has been shared with the Michigan Department of Health and Human Services for further review.
  • March 2024
  • February 2024: The landfill has submitted an air permit application for a new, small, skid-mounted flare rented by the site. Flares are used to burn off gases created as waste breaks down in the landfill. This flare is intended to provide temporary odor control for gas generated on the south side (Cell 8) of the site. Although the flare was initially believed to qualify for an exemption from needing an air permit, inlet sulfur concentrations measured for Cell 8 are higher than the site's average. Therefore, a PTI is being requested as a precaution. The application was received on 12/15/2023.
  • January 2024: Responses to the December 19, 2023, violation notice were received from Blue Water Renewables and the Smiths Creek Landfill on January 8 and January 9, 2024, respectively.
      • December 2023: On December 19. 2023, an additional violation notice was issued to the landfill for not properly maintaining, operating the gas collection system and for operating the flare without a permit. The violation notice also states that responses to previous violation notice were inadequate. A response with a plan to return to compliance is due January 9, 2024.
      • November 2023
        • On November 7, 2023, a violation notice was issued for not properly operating and maintaining the gas collection system. A response with a plan to return to compliance is due November 28, 2023. Note: Response received November 29, 2023.
        • On November 14, 2023, a violation notice was issued to the landfill for odors and not properly maintaining and operating the gas collection system. A response with a plan to return to compliance is due November 30, 2023. The company has asked for an extension to provide a response. The company must respond by December 7, 2023. Note: Response received December 7, 2023.
      • October 2023
      • September 2023
        • EGLE receives an increased number of citizen complaints concerning landfill operations.
        • Staff from the EGLE's Air Quality and Materials Management Division respond.
        • Complaint investigations are conducted in response.

    Additional Information

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    Background Information

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    Smiths Creek Permits and Licenses